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after · preposition /ˈæf.tər/Full view
after (TIME/EVENT)
A1 when a time or event has happened
Dictionary examples:

Do you want to go for a walk after breakfast?

We had a chat after the meeting.

Let's get the shopping done. After that, we can stop for coffee.

After a while, I began to like him.

His birthday is exactly a week after mine.

It was so boring, I left after ten minutes.

Learner example:

You can go shopping, eat [a tasty] meal and after that you can go to the disco and dance all night. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

after (PAST A PLACE)
A2 when you have gone past a particular place
Dictionary examples:

Turn left after the hotel.

You want the turn on the right just after the police station.

Learner example:

You can go to a wonderful place near here, The Great Falls. This is a very good place because you can [do] extreme sports. It is just after the town, on Main Road. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

after (ORDER)
A2 following in order
Dictionary example:

H comes after G in the alphabet.

after (FOLLOWING)
B1 following someone or something
Dictionary example:

We ran after him but he got away.

Learner example:

I ran after the bus and shouted to her 'hurry up!' (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

after all
B1 used to add information that shows that what you have just said is true
Dictionary example:

You can't expect to be perfect - after all, it was only your first lesson.

Learner example:

I stopped talking with my friends, but not [for long] - after all, we are friends. Anyway, I'm planning nice things for the next April 1st. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

day after day/year after year, etc.
B1 happening every day/year, etc. over a long period
Dictionary example:

We rented the same house in Maine for our vacation year after year.

Learner example:

And there she was, day after day, walking in the rain... (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

after (BECAUSE OF)
B2 because of something that happened
Dictionary example:

I'll never trust her again after what she did to me.

Learner example:

I really needed those days after what I've been through this spring. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

after (DESPITE)
C1 despite
Dictionary example:

I can't believe he was so rude to you after all the help you've given him!

Learner example:

But, even after earning more in 2001, the women still do not earn as much [as] men on average earned (£20,363) in 1997. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Gujarati)

after all
C1 used to say that something happened or was true although you did not expect it to happen or be true
Dictionary example:

Helen couldn't come to the party after all.

Learner example:

Cars still enter the city so there will be pollution after all. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)

after (NAMED FOR)
C2 used when giving someone or something the same name as another person or thing
Dictionary examples:

She’s named after her aunt.

It was called the Biko building, after the famous South African.

Learner example:

I called her Lena after my sister. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

after · adverb /ˈæf.tər/
after
A2 later than someone or something else
Dictionary examples:

Hilary got here at noon and Nicholas arrived soon after.

I can't go next week - how about the week after?

Learner example:

Hi Joe, I would love to see the film with you. We must have dinner after. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

after · conjunction /ˈæf.tər/
after
B1 at a later time than something else happens
Dictionary examples:

Soon/shortly after we got on the highway, the car started to make a strange noise.

I went to the post office right after I left you.

Learner example:

I hope we will meet soon after I come back home. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Romanian)

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